I know this goes against conventional wisdom, but I don't necessarily think Vita has to have a huge year in 2013. Improvement, yes, especially with a price cut, but the best Vita software might still show up in 2014.

The reason I say this is because of Vita's biggest problem in Japan: the PSP. The support from developers up to this point has been amazing and it's still continuing. Quality games are still being released. Seriously, the PSP sections on sites like Siliconera always have more news than the Vita sections. What if games like Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment were being made for Vita instead?

Sony has to switch these developers over to the Vita. Perhaps they already have, who knows? Until that time, if you like quirky Japanese games, the PSP is still the system to own between the two.

The underlying problem, of course, is that Sony has no first party games that are huge in Japan. They really need to change that, even if it means buying up an existing studio and IP. I know things work a bit differently in Japan, with more "working partnerships", but it's an issue they need to address.

I think we also need to remember what a single major IP can accomplish in Japan. Landing something huge could change the Vita's fortunes overnight, literally. I don't think anyone will ever forget what MonHon did for the PSP.

So, yeah, next year is important for the Vita. It needs to continue to stock its library with quality titles like Soul Sacrifice and God Eater. The price cut is absolutely crucial. However, I still think 2014 could be a much bigger year. Sony has a lot of work to do and I'm not sure we'll see the fruits of that labor in under a year's time.

That's a tough call.

Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale
Persona 4 Golden
Ragnarok Odyssey
Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
LittleBigPlanet
Gravity Rush
Resistance: Burning Skies
Unit 13
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Wipeout 2048

...versus...

Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Scribblenauts Unlimited
Harvest Moon: A New Beginning
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Mario Tennis Open
Kid Icarus Uprising
Tales of the Abyss
Resident Evil Revelations

EDF for the west?

you forgot Final Fantasy X HD ;)

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you -- without having played all those games I can't say with any certainty -- but cosmetically it looks pretty close.

It doesn't seem like there is a "killer app" on either list. Next year will be better for both systems, I'm sure :)

I agree in what you said, but I don't think 2014 will be a good year for the Vita if the sales in 2013 aren't good. I mean let's say that devs are probably working on games that will launch in 2014, there's a whole year to see the Vita sales and what happens if those sales are bad? They are probably going to cancel the project or move it to another platform, unless there are big incentives from Sony.

It's not looking good for the Vita but Sony still has some options. If it can get ports of many PSN/XBLA games like The Walking Dead, if they drop the price about $100, and if...............if......

*cries*

We mustn't give up hope! She's gonna pull through this!

TWD: The Game season 2 would be a great Vita game. I doubt they'll have to restrict much visually apart from resolution, and Vita is cheap/easy to develop for. Looks like a very simple port to me.

Great article, very well written, no embellishments, simply stating it as it is. I agree with almost all of it, including the importance of GTA as well as the bundling strategy, and the demand for the device at a lower pricepoint.

Some of these are things that vgchartz users have been saying for a long time, that both Massive hit games and a lower pricepoint are (hoping) what can propel the device to decent sales trends.

Again, very interesting article.

I don't think that's going to happen.  I mean it could, or a few developers might stop if they're in the early stages, but I doubt it would happen on a wide scale.  I've said this before, but I think it would be a huge mistake if every developer in Japan tried to fight their way into the 3DS market.  A lot of studios would be choked out by the competition.  As ironic as it sounds, developing for the Vita would be a kind of "blue ocean" stategy.  It's in the best interests of Japanese publishers to create an alternative market to the 3DS.

Don't get me wrong, I agree that the Vita has to show marked improvement in 2013, especially with price adjustments.  I just think 2014 will be the real make or break year in terms of software.